Enrichment

momath.org

I acknowledge to knowing real piddling close how schoolhouse finances work. Some schools own got hundreds of iPads, others own got leaking roofs. It's all a mystery to me. Due to budgetary constraints I've solely been on ane maths schoolhouse trip inward the concluding 5 years. This leads me to wonder how of import enrichment is, in addition to what schools tin give the axe create when coin is tight.

Why enrichment?
When I was a teenager I did nada inward maths beyond what was needed to go past times my exams. Apart from a dyad of maths competitions, my schoolhouse did non 'enrich' our mathematics education. I liked maths because I was proficient at it - maths lessons were my comfort zone. I enjoyed the satisfaction of solving problems but I had no involvement inward mathematics exterior the classroom. I await that many of my electrical flow students experience the same way.

Maths In Action

H5N1 dyad of years agone I accompanied a grouping of xx Year 12 students to a twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia of Maths inward Action lectures. I saw amazing speakers including Simon Singh in addition to Hannah Fry. I'm convinced that this trip made me a meliorate maths teacher. Not solely did I larn loads of cool novel stuff to portion amongst my students, I also gained a novel enthusiasm for mathematics. I'm certain at to the lowest degree some of my Year 12 students must own got felt inspired too. Perhaps they went on to report maths at academy every bit a result.

Education is all close making students to a greater extent than knowledgeable, so nosotros should portion mathematics inward all its glory - non only the content of the examination syllabus. I've written close these ideas earlier inward my post service Off on a Tangent. We must give our students opportunities to appreciate the wonders of mathematics.

There are loads of brilliant places for mathematical schoolhouse trips. Bletchley Park is a wonderful example. The Mathematics Gallery at the Science Museum is due to go out the world's initiative of all mathematics gallery afterwards a recent £5 ane M 1000 donation, so volition no uncertainty go out an outstanding finish for schoolhouse trips. The MathsWorldUK projection is also exciting. Maths Inspiration events are brilliant. Sometimes though it's non practical or affordable to own got students out on trips. Bringing speakers into schoolhouse is a proficient alternative.

A persuasion of the novel Mathematics Gallery

In-School Speakers
H5N1 piece agone I asked Twitter close maths speakers in addition to I was real grateful to have dozens of useful replies. I've listed a pick of speakers below. Costs are typically inward the part £200 - £600.

Kjartan Poskitt

Kjartan Poskitt, author of Murderous Maths, comes highly recommended. Talks include 'Isaac Newton in addition to his Falling Apple' in addition to 'Mayhem amongst Maths in addition to Music'. In his Murderous Maths sessions he performs a diverseness of features from his Murderous Maths books including flexagons, magic squares, foreign disclose facts, knots, tricks, amazing disclose predictions in addition to so on. Full details are available on his website.

Matt Parker (@standupmaths) runs Think Maths, a group of fantastic speakers who view schools to perform maths talks in addition to workshops for all ages in addition to abilities. Topics hit from topology, disclose theory in addition to probability to magic in addition to maths inward pop culture.

James Grime (@jamesgrime) travels extensively giving world talks all over the world. Details of fees in addition to workshops are available on his website. For trial 'The Enigma Project' is a presentation close the history in addition to mathematics of codes in addition to code breaking including a demonstration of an master copy WWII Enigma Machine, followed past times code breaking workshops. It's suitable for pupils of all ages in addition to abilities from Key Stage ii to Key Stage 5.

Bletchley Park (@BletchleyParkGB) offers 'Enigma Outreach' inward which they convey a genuine, working Enigma machine to your school. Visits are built only about the demonstration of this iconic slice of World War II history, in addition to tin give the axe also include presentations on the history of Bletchley Park, interactive talks on codes in addition to ciphers, in addition to hands on codebreaking workshops. Full details in addition to fees are available here.

Colin Beveridge (@icecolbeveridge) offers 'Games, Goats in addition to Gold' which uses pop game shows to demonstrate that thinking clearly close probability isn’t only proficient for your exams, but has applications inward the slightly-more-real but only every bit arbitrary globe of prime number fourth dimension TV. The workshop is aimed at brilliant Year nine students, but tin give the axe last adapted for most secondary schoolhouse groups. Details of this verbalize in addition to others are available on Flying Colours Maths.

Colin Wright (@ColinTheMathmo) comes highly recommended. He offers a collection of talks in addition to workshops that hit from ages xiii in addition to onwards. One of his most pop talks, 'Juggling: Theory in addition to Practice' is close the mathematics of juggling. Further data close his hit of talks is available on his website.

Colin Wright

Dr Matt Pritchard (@ScienceMagician) is an award-winning magician, comedian in addition to creative communicator. He delivers talks inward schools on both maths in addition to scientific discipline topics. His maths talks include 'Magical Maths' in addition to 'The Man Who Cannot Lose'. He also has a session aimed at D1 students - 'From Facebook Friends to Postman Pat'. Full details are available on his website.

Rob Eastaway (@robeastaway) is the writer of a disclose of mathematical books and the Director of Maths Inspiration, a national programme of interactive lecture shows. He offers a fantastic pick of in-school talks including 'What's the indicate of maths?', 'When Maths Meets Psychology', 'Maths on the Back of an Envelope' in addition to 'From Pepsi to Peace Deals'. Many of his talks are suitable for Sixth Form students. See his website for to a greater extent than information.

Ben Sparks (@SparksMaths) plant part-time amongst the Further Maths Support Programme as a speaker, tutor in addition to co-ordinator, in addition to part-time every bit a freelance maths enrichment speaker only about the United Kingdom of Great Britain in addition to Northern Ireland of Britain in addition to Northern Republic of Ireland – including with Maths Inspiration. His talks, including 'The Creation of Number' in addition to 'Pretty Irrational' are listed on his website. 

Puzzle Days in addition to Workshops
If yous own got a proficient laid upwardly of resources so yous may last able to run puzzle workshops yourself (FunMaths Roadshow materials are solely £27). Alternatively, at that spot are companies who tin give the axe come upwardly to your schoolhouse to run workshops for yous - hither are some examples:

The 7puzzle Company (@7puzzle) delivers fun in addition to effective maths workshops inward both principal in addition to secondary schools all over the UK. The games played non solely challenge children’s disclose skills, but also deed every bit a confidence-builder. They comprise strategy, logic, shape in addition to space, retention in addition to visual aspects every bit good every bit helping children to focus on the social etiquette of communicating, listening, turn-taking, sharing in addition to team-working piece participating inward the activities. Further data close the 7puzzle experience is available here.

The 7puzzle experience

MMP Hands-On Maths Roadshow (@mathsroadshow). The NRICH Hands-On Maths Roadshow is a collection of hands-on mathematical puzzles, games in addition to activities that tin give the axe last brought to schools for a exceptional maths event. Roadshow activities are designed to promote creative approaches to mathematics in addition to strategic thinking in addition to to own mathematical curiosity. The Roadshow tin give the axe last tailored to suit diverse historic catamenia ranges, from Key Stage 1 to 4. The fee is £595 for a amount twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia in addition to £415 for a one-half twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia - amount details are available here.

The Problem Solving Company (@problemsolveit) offers fun filled days of hands-on maths challenges to students from Early Years to KS3. Their maths puzzle days promote thinking, logical reasoning in addition to mathematical agreement amongst an emphasis on teamwork in addition to discussion. They also run Year 6/7 Transition Days in addition to Sixth Form Team Building Days. Further data in addition to prices are available here.

The Problem Solving Company

Happy Puzzle Company (@happypuzzle) also runs Puzzle Challenge Days for Schools - click here for details.

Maths competitions - local in addition to national - are some other neat source of enrichment, though they oft involve solely a handful of high-attainers. It's worth offering opportunities to whole yr groups too.

Affordable enrichment
Don't forget that your nearest Maths Hub mightiness run enrichment events. For trial the Surrey Plus Maths Hub runs Inspiration Days (featuring speakers such every bit Matt Parker) that students tin give the axe attend for complimentary - spaces are available on a kickoff come, kickoff served basis.

Look out for grant schemes also - your schoolhouse could have fiscal assistance to run maths enrichment events.

This post service past times no agency represents an exhaustive listing of speakers in addition to workshops. If you're looking for enrichment opportunities so you'll notice a plethora of providers inward the STEM Directories. If yous own got whatsoever recommendations from personal experience so delight comment below.

Enrichment

momath.org

I acknowledge to knowing real piddling close how schoolhouse finances work. Some schools own got hundreds of iPads, others own got leaking roofs. It's all a mystery to me. Due to budgetary constraints I've solely been on ane maths schoolhouse trip inward the concluding 5 years. This leads me to wonder how of import enrichment is, in addition to what schools tin give the axe create when coin is tight.

Why enrichment?
When I was a teenager I did nada inward maths beyond what was needed to go past times my exams. Apart from a dyad of maths competitions, my schoolhouse did non 'enrich' our mathematics education. I liked maths because I was proficient at it - maths lessons were my comfort zone. I enjoyed the satisfaction of solving problems but I had no involvement inward mathematics exterior the classroom. I await that many of my electrical flow students experience the same way.

Maths In Action

H5N1 dyad of years agone I accompanied a grouping of xx Year 12 students to a twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia of Maths inward Action lectures. I saw amazing speakers including Simon Singh in addition to Hannah Fry. I'm convinced that this trip made me a meliorate maths teacher. Not solely did I larn loads of cool novel stuff to portion amongst my students, I also gained a novel enthusiasm for mathematics. I'm certain at to the lowest degree some of my Year 12 students must own got felt inspired too. Perhaps they went on to report maths at academy every bit a result.

Education is all close making students to a greater extent than knowledgeable, so nosotros should portion mathematics inward all its glory - non only the content of the examination syllabus. I've written close these ideas earlier inward my post service Off on a Tangent. We must give our students opportunities to appreciate the wonders of mathematics.

There are loads of brilliant places for mathematical schoolhouse trips. Bletchley Park is a wonderful example. The Mathematics Gallery at the Science Museum is due to go out the world's initiative of all mathematics gallery afterwards a recent £5 ane M 1000 donation, so volition no uncertainty go out an outstanding finish for schoolhouse trips. The MathsWorldUK projection is also exciting. Maths Inspiration events are brilliant. Sometimes though it's non practical or affordable to own got students out on trips. Bringing speakers into schoolhouse is a proficient alternative.

A persuasion of the novel Mathematics Gallery

In-School Speakers
H5N1 piece agone I asked Twitter close maths speakers in addition to I was real grateful to have dozens of useful replies. I've listed a pick of speakers below. Costs are typically inward the part £200 - £600.

Kjartan Poskitt

Kjartan Poskitt, author of Murderous Maths, comes highly recommended. Talks include 'Isaac Newton in addition to his Falling Apple' in addition to 'Mayhem amongst Maths in addition to Music'. In his Murderous Maths sessions he performs a diverseness of features from his Murderous Maths books including flexagons, magic squares, foreign disclose facts, knots, tricks, amazing disclose predictions in addition to so on. Full details are available on his website.

Matt Parker (@standupmaths) runs Think Maths, a group of fantastic speakers who view schools to perform maths talks in addition to workshops for all ages in addition to abilities. Topics hit from topology, disclose theory in addition to probability to magic in addition to maths inward pop culture.

James Grime (@jamesgrime) travels extensively giving world talks all over the world. Details of fees in addition to workshops are available on his website. For trial 'The Enigma Project' is a presentation close the history in addition to mathematics of codes in addition to code breaking including a demonstration of an master copy WWII Enigma Machine, followed past times code breaking workshops. It's suitable for pupils of all ages in addition to abilities from Key Stage ii to Key Stage 5.

Bletchley Park (@BletchleyParkGB) offers 'Enigma Outreach' inward which they convey a genuine, working Enigma machine to your school. Visits are built only about the demonstration of this iconic slice of World War II history, in addition to tin give the axe also include presentations on the history of Bletchley Park, interactive talks on codes in addition to ciphers, in addition to hands on codebreaking workshops. Full details in addition to fees are available here.

Colin Beveridge (@icecolbeveridge) offers 'Games, Goats in addition to Gold' which uses pop game shows to demonstrate that thinking clearly close probability isn’t only proficient for your exams, but has applications inward the slightly-more-real but only every bit arbitrary globe of prime number fourth dimension TV. The workshop is aimed at brilliant Year nine students, but tin give the axe last adapted for most secondary schoolhouse groups. Details of this verbalize in addition to others are available on Flying Colours Maths.

Colin Wright (@ColinTheMathmo) comes highly recommended. He offers a collection of talks in addition to workshops that hit from ages xiii in addition to onwards. One of his most pop talks, 'Juggling: Theory in addition to Practice' is close the mathematics of juggling. Further data close his hit of talks is available on his website.

Colin Wright

Dr Matt Pritchard (@ScienceMagician) is an award-winning magician, comedian in addition to creative communicator. He delivers talks inward schools on both maths in addition to scientific discipline topics. His maths talks include 'Magical Maths' in addition to 'The Man Who Cannot Lose'. He also has a session aimed at D1 students - 'From Facebook Friends to Postman Pat'. Full details are available on his website.

Rob Eastaway (@robeastaway) is the writer of a disclose of mathematical books and the Director of Maths Inspiration, a national programme of interactive lecture shows. He offers a fantastic pick of in-school talks including 'What's the indicate of maths?', 'When Maths Meets Psychology', 'Maths on the Back of an Envelope' in addition to 'From Pepsi to Peace Deals'. Many of his talks are suitable for Sixth Form students. See his website for to a greater extent than information.

Ben Sparks (@SparksMaths) plant part-time amongst the Further Maths Support Programme as a speaker, tutor in addition to co-ordinator, in addition to part-time every bit a freelance maths enrichment speaker only about the United Kingdom of Great Britain in addition to Northern Ireland of Britain in addition to Northern Republic of Ireland – including with Maths Inspiration. His talks, including 'The Creation of Number' in addition to 'Pretty Irrational' are listed on his website. 

Puzzle Days in addition to Workshops
If yous own got a proficient laid upwardly of resources so yous may last able to run puzzle workshops yourself (FunMaths Roadshow materials are solely £27). Alternatively, at that spot are companies who tin give the axe come upwardly to your schoolhouse to run workshops for yous - hither are some examples:

The 7puzzle Company (@7puzzle) delivers fun in addition to effective maths workshops inward both principal in addition to secondary schools all over the UK. The games played non solely challenge children’s disclose skills, but also deed every bit a confidence-builder. They comprise strategy, logic, shape in addition to space, retention in addition to visual aspects every bit good every bit helping children to focus on the social etiquette of communicating, listening, turn-taking, sharing in addition to team-working piece participating inward the activities. Further data close the 7puzzle experience is available here.

The 7puzzle experience

MMP Hands-On Maths Roadshow (@mathsroadshow). The NRICH Hands-On Maths Roadshow is a collection of hands-on mathematical puzzles, games in addition to activities that tin give the axe last brought to schools for a exceptional maths event. Roadshow activities are designed to promote creative approaches to mathematics in addition to strategic thinking in addition to to own mathematical curiosity. The Roadshow tin give the axe last tailored to suit diverse historic catamenia ranges, from Key Stage 1 to 4. The fee is £595 for a amount twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia in addition to £415 for a one-half twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia - amount details are available here.

The Problem Solving Company (@problemsolveit) offers fun filled days of hands-on maths challenges to students from Early Years to KS3. Their maths puzzle days promote thinking, logical reasoning in addition to mathematical agreement amongst an emphasis on teamwork in addition to discussion. They also run Year 6/7 Transition Days in addition to Sixth Form Team Building Days. Further data in addition to prices are available here.

The Problem Solving Company

Happy Puzzle Company (@happypuzzle) also runs Puzzle Challenge Days for Schools - click here for details.

Maths competitions - local in addition to national - are some other neat source of enrichment, though they oft involve solely a handful of high-attainers. It's worth offering opportunities to whole yr groups too.

Affordable enrichment
Don't forget that your nearest Maths Hub mightiness run enrichment events. For trial the Surrey Plus Maths Hub runs Inspiration Days (featuring speakers such every bit Matt Parker) that students tin give the axe attend for complimentary - spaces are available on a kickoff come, kickoff served basis.

Look out for grant schemes also - your schoolhouse could have fiscal assistance to run maths enrichment events.

This post service past times no agency represents an exhaustive listing of speakers in addition to workshops. If you're looking for enrichment opportunities so you'll notice a plethora of providers inward the STEM Directories. If yous own got whatsoever recommendations from personal experience so delight comment below.

5 Maths Gems #50

Hello together with welcome to my 50^th gems post. This is where I part v maths pedagogy ideas.

1. Fractions together with Percentages from Don Steward
I was incredibly happy to have a retention stick inwards the postal service at the commencement of term - it was sent to me past times Don Steward together with it contains all of his PowerPoints for Key Stage 3, iv together with 5. I'm really grateful to cause got access to such fantastic resources. Much of what he sent me is on his blog, only with his slides I've also establish a few things that I've never seen before. This Fractions to Percentages activity is brilliant. I used it equally a starter for my Year 10s this week. This is i of those wonderful 'works good with whatsoever historic menstruation group' activities.

2. Statistics

I establish a lovely website - Stats The Way I Like It - which was created by Allison Horst of the Bren School of Environmental Science together with Management.  Most of the content is alone relevant to academy degree statistics, only the clear explanations of hypothesis testing together with probability density functions mightiness hold upward useful for teachers of S2. This lovely graphic showing the departure betwixt discrete, continuous together with qualitative information (from: What Type of Data Do I Have?) may hold upward useful at Key Stage iii too:

3. Enrichment 
This calendar week I presented an enrichment lecture at schoolhouse based on ideas from Simon Singh's mass 'The Simpsons together with their Mathematical Secrets'. I adapted the slides that Simon provides for teachers - if you'd similar to borrow my presentation together with then you lot tin download it here. It covers Fermat's Last Theorem, Mersenne primes, perfect numbers, narcissistic numbers, binary numbers together with rock-paper-scissors. The slides include footage from The Simpsons, Futurama together with The Big Bang Theory.

To promote my lecture I pose upward posters inwards the Maths Department showing the puzzle pictured above. I was pleased to view students gathered around the posters trying to solve it. This puzzle industrial plant good for whatsoever historic menstruation grouping - I've seen teachers utterly confused past times it together with I've seen a 12 twelvemonth onetime solve it inwards seconds! I gave it to a grouping of Year iv students inwards a principal enrichment session this calendar week - they took a piece to piece of occupation it out only i time they solved it, they all wanted to cause got a re-create habitation for their parents to try.

4. Starter Packs
Thanks to Ed Southall (@solvemymaths) for sharing his starter packs. These tin hold upward printed equally A5 booklets hence each educatee has their ain starter pack. As good equally tasks for 'the basics', the packs include a lovely assortment of puzzles. Ed helpfully provides the answers too.

5. Leap Year Maths
It's 29th Feb on Mon - what a dandy chance for some enrichment inwards your maths lessons. I'm planning to present my Year 10s Matt Parker's (@standupmaths) excellent video Leap Years: We Can Do Better.

Source: harjotbal.com

#mathsconf6
I'm looking forwards to #mathsconf6 adjacent weekend. I'll hold upward inwards Peterborough all solar daytime on Fri - if you're staying at the Park Inn together with then you lot tin encounter me inwards the foyer at 7.30pm if you lot desire to bring together me for the pre-conference drinks.

On Sat I'll hold upward running a contest at the Tweet Up - create come upward along together with bring together in.

5 Maths Gems #50

Hello together with welcome to my 50^th gems post. This is where I part v maths pedagogy ideas.

1. Fractions together with Percentages from Don Steward
I was incredibly happy to have a retention stick inwards the postal service at the commencement of term - it was sent to me past times Don Steward together with it contains all of his PowerPoints for Key Stage 3, iv together with 5. I'm really grateful to cause got access to such fantastic resources. Much of what he sent me is on his blog, only with his slides I've also establish a few things that I've never seen before. This Fractions to Percentages activity is brilliant. I used it equally a starter for my Year 10s this week. This is i of those wonderful 'works good with whatsoever historic menstruation group' activities.

2. Statistics

I establish a lovely website - Stats The Way I Like It - which was created by Allison Horst of the Bren School of Environmental Science together with Management.  Most of the content is alone relevant to academy degree statistics, only the clear explanations of hypothesis testing together with probability density functions mightiness hold upward useful for teachers of S2. This lovely graphic showing the departure betwixt discrete, continuous together with qualitative information (from: What Type of Data Do I Have?) may hold upward useful at Key Stage iii too:

3. Enrichment 
This calendar week I presented an enrichment lecture at schoolhouse based on ideas from Simon Singh's mass 'The Simpsons together with their Mathematical Secrets'. I adapted the slides that Simon provides for teachers - if you'd similar to borrow my presentation together with then you lot tin download it here. It covers Fermat's Last Theorem, Mersenne primes, perfect numbers, narcissistic numbers, binary numbers together with rock-paper-scissors. The slides include footage from The Simpsons, Futurama together with The Big Bang Theory.

To promote my lecture I pose upward posters inwards the Maths Department showing the puzzle pictured above. I was pleased to view students gathered around the posters trying to solve it. This puzzle industrial plant good for whatsoever historic menstruation grouping - I've seen teachers utterly confused past times it together with I've seen a 12 twelvemonth onetime solve it inwards seconds! I gave it to a grouping of Year iv students inwards a principal enrichment session this calendar week - they took a piece to piece of occupation it out only i time they solved it, they all wanted to cause got a re-create habitation for their parents to try.

4. Starter Packs
Thanks to Ed Southall (@solvemymaths) for sharing his starter packs. These tin hold upward printed equally A5 booklets hence each educatee has their ain starter pack. As good equally tasks for 'the basics', the packs include a lovely assortment of puzzles. Ed helpfully provides the answers too.

5. Leap Year Maths
It's 29th Feb on Mon - what a dandy chance for some enrichment inwards your maths lessons. I'm planning to present my Year 10s Matt Parker's (@standupmaths) excellent video Leap Years: We Can Do Better.

Source: harjotbal.com

#mathsconf6
I'm looking forwards to #mathsconf6 adjacent weekend. I'll hold upward inwards Peterborough all solar daytime on Fri - if you're staying at the Park Inn together with then you lot tin encounter me inwards the foyer at 7.30pm if you lot desire to bring together me for the pre-conference drinks.

On Sat I'll hold upward running a contest at the Tweet Up - create come upward along together with bring together in.

Maths Clubs

I've written an article for teachwire.net nearly mathematical extra-curricular clubs at both master copy in addition to secondary school:

"Turn Pupils Into Mathemagicians With These Creative Ideas For Maths Clubs"

Thank y'all to everyone on Twitter who contributed ideas for this article. It was lovely to involve heed nearly all the fantastic clubs that teachers run.

If you're looking for to a greater extent than enrichment ideas, I bring 2 posts that may besides locomote of involvement to you: 1 is about in-school enrichment and the other is about school trips.

New This Christmas

I accept a page of seasonal resources which includes Christmas-themed maths activities. I mean value it's actually of import to gain mathematics inward every maths lesson throughout the year, but if one-half the degree are out at carol service rehearsals or a lesson is cutting curt past times an destination of term assembly, as well as thus I come across no terms inward putting on a fleck of Christmas background music piece students larn stuck into to a greater extent than or less festive algebra. I beloved a fleck of Wham amongst my equations.

There are to a greater extent than or less classics on my seasonal resources page, such every bit Chris Smith's much-loved relay, but also quite a lot of novel additions this year. I thought it powerfulness endure helpful to listing a few of these novel resources hither thus yous don't immature lady anything.

Topic Based
Dave (@d_e_humpty) has produced a lovely fix of Christmas shape transformation activities which include translations, reflections as well as rotations.

Grant (MyMaths also has a novel collection of Christmas resources including Christmas Algebra which powerfulness endure suitable for Key Stage 2. 

Mr Bayle (@mrbaylemaths) shared a quick Christmas information collection action where yous play Jingle Bell Rock as well as students croak along a tally of the give-and-take count for 'Jingle', 'Bell' as well as 'Rock'. 

Students at @Maths_CCB had a go, as well as made festive pie charts of the results.

Danielle (@PixiMaths) has helpfully shared a mixed-topic maths quiz that she made for her Year 9s.

Enrichment 
It's overnice to veer off-syllabus for a lesson or two. La Salle accept a alternative of Christmas enrichment resources including How to brand an origami Santa and Christmas Colours which relates to the Four Colour Theorem.

Hexaflexagons are a personal favourite of mine. I became addicted terminal yr afterwards watching Vi Harts's outstanding hexaflexagon videos (if yous haven't watched these yet, delight do!).

I ran a pair of hexaflexagon lessons inward the terminal calendar week of the summertime term. I showed the Vi Hart videos as well as thus handed out to a greater extent than or less templates for colouring. The videos got my students suitably excited nearly making hexaflexagons but to a greater extent than or less of them spent absolutely ages colouring, as well as and thus for the terminal fifteen minutes of the lesson I had thirty hands upwards wanting assist amongst the folding as well as flexing! Hard work. Most students ended upwards leaving the lesson amongst both a working hexaflexagon as well as cool mathematical stories to percentage at home.

Thanks to Jo Tomalin for sharing a festive hexaflexagon design.

Holiday Work

If your Year 11s accept mocks inward Jan as well as thus yous powerfulness desire to fix them to a greater extent than or less Christmas vacation homework. Mel (@Just_Maths) has created lovely holiday GCSE homeworks for both Foundation as well as Higher tier. She has also shared a like vacation homework for Key Stage 2.

Form Time

If yous accept whatever extended cast fourth dimension on the terminal twenty-four hours of term as well as your schoolhouse hasn't provided whatever resources to croak along your students entertained, elbow grease Mel's (@Just_Maths) first-class Christmas Pub Quiz.

Alternatively, maths instructor Graham Coleman (@colmanweb) has updated his awesome website Guess the Tunes which forthwith includes Guess the Lyrics as well as Guess the Faces.

Cards as well as Gifts 

Maths Ed (@MathsEdIdeas) has shared a Christmaths bill of fare for schools to distribute to students as well as families, encouraging shared maths-play over the holidays. Editable files tin endure downloaded here as well as printed onto A4 to crease to A5. 

Finally, gain depository fiscal establishment agree out my post service The Top v Christmas Presents for Maths Teachers if yous notwithstanding accept to a greater extent than or less Christmas shopping to do.

Enjoy the terminal calendar week of term! The destination is inward sight.

Teachers Wine Glass from notonthehighstreet.com

In Illustration You Lot Missed It...

Today I read a post yesteryear Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) nearly her Top 10 Tweets. It struck me equally a non bad vogue to portion pop ideas to a greater extent than widely, peculiarly alongside teachers who aren't on Twitter.

I therefore had a expect at Twitter Analytics which provides data on which of my tweets earn the most impressions together with engagements. Using that information, I've written this post service inward monastic say to portion a alternative of my altitude tweets from recent months, inward instance you lot missed them... 

Top Tweets
1. This tweet - which features an indices occupation from Brilliant.org - earned over 20,000 impressions. If you're non familiar alongside Brilliant.org, gain cheque it out. Their Facebook feed is peculiarly good. 

I similar this inquiry from http://t.co/CXI8SI98Lp. Good for drawing out misconceptions. #mathschat pic.twitter.com/bsU5trgIih

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) August 16, 2015

2. I receive got no credit for whatever aspect of this tweet! It was Danielle Bartram's persuasion to lay stickers on calculators together with the stickers were produced yesteryear Ed Southall. I'm pleased to study that the persuasion has proved effective - I at nowadays detect it much easier to continue runway of calculators that I lend to students.

Borrowing @MissBsResources' persuasion together with labelling novel calculators alongside Maths Mr Men @solvemymaths #mathschat pic.twitter.com/h9c96QRdX9

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) August 19, 2015

3. Whenever I portion a Don Steward resources it gets a lot of attention. That's because he's a legend together with his resources are unbelievably good. Here's iv pop examples. If you lot don't regularly piece of work Don Steward's resources therefore larn together with cheque out his blog immediately!

Used this lovely Don Steward activeness inward my Year 10 lesson today. Worked well. Lots persuasion that 38 tenths = 0.38. pic.twitter.com/Pgv995g8Zr

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) September 4, 2015

#mathsjournalclub This is a proficient rich business from Don - develops negative issue fluency, but non 'drill'. pic.twitter.com/uwVojPv5Uj

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) October 19, 2015

Nice to come across Don Steward making resources for novel GCSE topics http://t.co/poo4mMME9k #legend #mathstlp pic.twitter.com/XisU2mfVbn

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) June 21, 2015

Don Steward has published loads of novel resources this week! #mathschat http://t.co/mprNObUGat pic.twitter.com/5a4uPhuFxf

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) May 22, 2015

4. This tweet nearly my Open Evening post service was popular, partly because the 'Where everybody counts' motion painting went downward well! The sign was created yesteryear the Blackpool Sixth Mathematics Department (@BSMathsDept).

Open Evening coming up? My post service is total of ideas for the maths subdivision http://t.co/yYuHuBZvZl #mathschat #mathstlp pic.twitter.com/auQCsnpPYA

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) September 9, 2015

5. My post service nearly halt of term enrichment activities is 1 of my most pop posts ever.

Latest post service - resources for halt of term maths enrichment http://t.co/Ukdjn8112Q #mathschat #mathstlp pic.twitter.com/YDo12ocIxz

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) July 8, 2015

6. Back inward March my Year 10 flat made a newspaper plate circle theorem display. I got this lovely persuasion from Paul Collins.

Yr 10 enjoyed creating a circle theorem wall today. Thanks @mrprcollins for the inspiration. http://t.co/Z8BNMeiG1s pic.twitter.com/vW3MWfF74L

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) March 2, 2015

7. This tweet yesteryear the awesome Hannah Fry actually made me smile.

So this has basically made my day: http://t.co/MdvQnEVOBX Maths price to avoid using when alongside purile teens. HT @mathsjem

— Hannah Fry (@FryRsquared) August 21, 2015

8. Often my most pop tweets are those that promote a novel weblog post service - this 1 was for my post service nearly GCSE revision resources...

New post: GCSE flat A/A* revision resources http://t.co/gfEJzKpk2t HT @MathedUp @tannermaths @suffolkmaths #mathsTLP pic.twitter.com/rvafImUjUg

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) March 31, 2015

9. ... together with this 1 was for my post service nearly resources for stretch together with challenge.

Lots of involvement inward my latest post service -> where to detect resources for stretch & challenge http://t.co/BBUUdKUdaN pic.twitter.com/e1X6aeg3D7

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) February 20, 2015

10. One of my most pop tweets this calendar month was the tweet inward which I starting fourth dimension suggested belongings a Christmas event.

Thanks for the positive responses! To avoid clashes alongside other events, this is an xmas social now. Watch this space! pic.twitter.com/mfXD0oIqSS

— Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) October 4, 2015

The format of the trial has changed slightly since this tweet, but the engagement together with venue receive got at nowadays been confirmed together with tickets are selling fast. Check out christmaths.weebly.com for details.

I promise you've institute only about inspiration inward this post service - I've enjoyed looking dorsum at my tweets. Thanks for reading.

Off On A Tangent

At a recent Year xi Parents' Evening, I was guilty of hypocrisy. I reassured parents that their daughters would move rattling good prepared for their maths GCSE because we'd move doing one-half a term of revision lessons. Most parents nodded happily, but 1 dad challenged me. He asked why I didn't convey the chance to learn his fille some calculus. Good point! I've written many times most the importance of imparting mathematical noesis without focussing on exams (a 'no teaching to the test' philosophy), in addition to in that location I was promising an extended menstruation of revision instead of mathematical enrichment.

I don't desire to learn my students to exceed exams. I desire to learn them mathematics, in addition to I desire passing exams to move a welcome by-product of that. But what if some of my students neglect to run into their potential inwards their GCSE exams this summertime every bit a number of my determination to trim revision time? It's a dilemma.

Bitesize enrichment
The twenty-four hr menstruation later Parents' Evening I'd planned a criterion lesson on algebraic proof amongst my Year 11s (by 'standard' I hateful explanation, examples in addition to practice). At the starting fourth dimension of the lesson, past times agency of introducing the topic of proof, I mentioned that many mathematicians pass their lives working on proofs. As I said it I was reminded of the BBC Horizon episode blog post most teaching a lesson on Fermat.

It was alone 10 minutes of spontaneity inwards a lesson, but thus rattling worth it. My students went abode from schoolhouse having learnt something novel most the world, in addition to that's what instruction is all about.

The success of this unplanned tangent gave me the confidence to starting fourth dimension diverting from my lesson plans all over the place. In a Year 10 lesson on percentages I got carried away explaining how banks brand coin from involvement charge per unit of measurement spread. I know a lot most finance from my previous career thus I felt confident talking most this. But I acknowledge that my noesis of 'non-curricular' mathematics is limited. I possess got a pile of mathematical books that I'm desperate to read but never acquire time. Reading around your bailiwick gives yous the noesis in addition to confidence to become off on these interesting tangents. I must read more! If you're on Twitter in addition to thus do acquire involved in @MathsBookClub for encouragement in addition to inspiration.

How good read are you? Book recommendations from matheminutes.blogspot.co.uk.

Barriers to spontaneity

I don't deny that schemes of operate are necessary. For 1 thing, they ensure essential coverage of all the topics required for populace exams. In addition, synchronisation of teaching allows simultaneous assessment of whole twelvemonth groups, in addition to gives orbit for departmental collaboration. Schemes of operate are too a machinery for implementing a maths department's teaching strategy or philosophy. So they are 'a good thing' even though they may underpin a frustrating lack of freedom.

I was of late teaching 3D trigonometry to a top laid Year ix (very smart girls - many volition convey their GCSE inwards Year 10). I was going through the event below from CIMT. When nosotros got to purpose (d) nosotros drew out the triangle inwards inquiry in addition to established that it was non-right angled. They haven't done the Sine in addition to Cosine Rules soundless thus I said we'd skip it. I told them that they'd comprehend non-right angled triangles side past times side twelvemonth in addition to they accepted that without question. 

It's a chip wretched isn't it? I was disappointed past times their lack of intellectual curiosity, but to a greater extent than disappointed amongst myself for telling them they'd possess got to expect a twelvemonth to complete solving the problem. Why didn't I simply launch into teaching the Sine in addition to Cosine Rules? Firstly, because of fourth dimension pressure level - the aeroplane would possess got fallen behind their peers if we'd spent an extra calendar week or 2 on trigonometry, putting them at a disadvantage inwards their side past times side Year ix assessment (this would possess got upset them). Secondly, inconsistency of topic coverage would do problems for side past times side year's teachers. Thirdly, I hadn't idea inwards advance most how I'd learn non-right angled trigonometry. It takes a rattling confident in addition to experienced instructor to deliver a proficient lesson off the cuff. I demand at to the lowest degree 10 minutes thinking fourth dimension earlier I teach! So I left it at 'we'll do it side past times side year'. Most unsatisfactory.

To some extent, schemes of operate bound our might to become off on interesting mathematical tangents. But it could move worse. We could move forced to utilisation pre-written lesson plans, slides in addition to resources. I bask designing tailor-made lessons for my students. I similar having orbit to move creative in addition to I similar beingness able to divert from my programme during a lesson if I desire to. It's overnice to possess got this autonomy. Ideally our schemes of operate are flexible plenty to adapt these worthwhile diversions. If you're designing a system of operate for side past times side year, acquit this inwards mind. Time for tangents is most welcome.